[ti]solo[/ti][S][Instance] Bioluminescence

Information> Glowmoss Grove | 1F

Noting the scrolling text at the top of his UI, Josh was now officially inside the Instance. Stepping on the wood within, it felt extremely hard -- almost petrified. As Ares walked around, the heat of his tail radiated, though it didn't cause the terrain to catch fire. Even direct contact with the tail didn't ignite the dense wood. "At least you won't have to watch where you fling that tail of yours around, Ares," Josh said to the Charmander as he looked around for a clue of where to go.

"Great!" Ares chirped back. "Just let me know when you're ready for me to kick some ass! That's why we're here, right?" Before Josh could get a response, an orange alert flashed at the top of his UI:

Warning> Golden Poké Ball is DISABLED. Pokémon capture within the Glowmoss Grove will be impossible.

The hollow tree was massive, spanning four loading zones on the first level alone. He saw more blue, dotted lines above him, giving him a perspective on the verticality of the place. As he peered up toward the northwest corner of the tree, he saw a large treasure chest that seemed inaccessible. Spinarak hung from threads on the undersides of wooden bridges connecting ledges, while several Bellsprout warily eyed Josh and Ares. As he passed within range of two of the grass-types, he saw red targeting lines being drawn from the foes to him and his Charmander.

Combat Log> Bellsprout A readies Vine Whip.
Combat Log> Bellsprout B readies Vine Whip.
Combat Log> Ares readies Ember.

Unable to leave the range in time, Josh felt the sting of a cut as the small VINE WHIP cracked over his arm. Ares seemed far less harmed by the Grass-type attack, whipping his tail toward the one that Josh had pulled aggro from. The EMBERS set the Bellsprout alight; while the initial hits were not enough to down it, residual damage from the flames finished the job. With only one to go, the trainer hid behind his Charmander, letting the fire-type take a second VINE WHIP attack before the second wild suffered a similar fate.

Combat Log> Defeated the enemy.

Josh didn't think a single level would make a big difference, but the encounters in the grove were tougher than he expected! Watching his experience bar fill, he let out an "Aww..." as the bar stopped just short. He pondered turning around for a brief grind to the recommended level, but decided against it. He would get the necessary experience simply by exploring and fighting what he had to in order to progress. Plus, he was gaining knowledge of the Instance's layout.

Making his way past the Bellsprout and through a zone marker, the next quadrant of the first floor loaded in, Josh immediately seeing a wall covered in thick vines. As he approached it, a pop-up obscured his vision.

Information> If you face a ladder or other climbable surface and walk into it, you will climb it. If a wall or sharply angled surface looks suspicious, try climbing it!

This really was the tutorial Instance, wasn't it? Was the UI going to stop him to tell him how to open a treasure chest, too?

{Map}

Applying moderate upward pressure to the door as the tutorial message suggested, Josh was able to raise it and get it open. Not long after he and his Pokémon passed through it, a web of thick, green vines grew over it from the side he was on, making it impossible to move. As he turned around to examine the sudden growth, his eyed shifted another message scrolling at the top of his vision.

Information> Something strange is blocking this door. You must solve the puzzle in this room to open the door.

It wouldn't be much of a puzzle; it would be simple combat against a small flock of ZUBAT. What were they doing so far from the settlement? Making matters worse was the narrow corridors; Josh appeared to be on the inside of a thick but hollow tree limb. Ares was quick to dispatch one with a wave of EMBERS from his tail, but another one flew from around a corner, latching onto his head and ABSORBING his inner fluids to feed. The side of his cheek puffed. "I... don't feel so hot..." the Charmander complained as he waved his tail at his second assailant. Both collapsed. Josh's eyes slid toward his party's health. While the Charmander was not at zero hit points, he wasn't exactly strong, and he had not yet captured a Healer Pokémon. That was why it was so important to keep farming encounters on the Surge Steppes; a Galarian Ponyta would be the healer he needed.

Swapping Pokémon to Raiden the Blitzle, the electric foal was able to dispatch the remaining two flying pests easily with a pair of SHOCK WAVES. A familiar "puzzle solved" jingle played in Josh's ears, the web-shaped vines in front of the door wilted, and at the end of the far branch materialized a large chest. Creaking it open, its inside glowed with a golden light. He slowly bent down to reach for the contents within its depths. Within was an invaluable item.

Information> You got the DUNGEON MAP! Unexplored rooms will now show up on your mini-map.

{Map}

Josh and Ares paced about the top level of the tree, looking for a way to get to the central leader where the treasure chest was located at. It took him three laps around the four "rooms", but he eventually noticed some dried vines holding a large branch up. With Raiden's fire attacks unable to reach it, he had no choice but to click open the fire-type's Poké Ball. "Ares, try throwing some EMBERS at that brush!"

"I... can't... so tired..." the Charmander whined.

"We'll do it together, then. On three." Josh picked up the fire lizard, who embraced his trainer the best he could. With one arm he held on, and with another, he grabbed the base of the fire-type's tail. "One... two... three!" On three, he swung Ares' tail back and forth once, hissing as wisps of fire went flying from it. Even with no direct contact, they were still hot, hot, hot!

The dried vines caught fire, the limb they were holding up fell onto the ledge he was standing on with a loud thud. A familiar "puzzle solved" jingle echoed around him, the sound satisfying to hear. "Great work, Ares! You can rest up now." The brief reprieve Raiden had helped him recover, too. Carefully walking up to the treasure chest, Josh opened its lid. Within was yet another important dungeon item.

Information> You obtained the BOSS KEY! Now you can get into the chamber where the Boss lurks.

With the large, golden key in hand, Josh backtracked to the tree's entrance and turned around the left corner this time. After navigating a simple, two-dimensional root maze, he and his Blitzle stood before a wooden sliding door sealed by a large, golden lock. Pulling up his menu, he looked at his remaining resources. Would he be able to fight the Boss like this? If not, it would be prudent for him to turn around...

{Map}